Colorado Springs police looked into the “nonspecific” threats to area schools and confirmed through social media on Wednesday that there is no credible threat.
CSPD is aware that nonspecific threats to schools are now circulating in our community, largely through social media channels. The posts currently in question originate from outside of Colorado, and at this time, we can confirm there is no evidence they constitute a verified,
According to the department, the threats were circulating in the community, largely through social media channels. The posts in question originate from outside of Colorado, police said.
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After further investigation, the department determined that there was “no credible threat to any school or school districts in Colorado Springs.”
“We closely monitor and investigate posts like these to determine their credibility and take immediate action on verified threats as they may arise,” the post read Wednesday afternoon.
Former RTD Police Chief Joel Fitzgerald, who separated from the agency last week, was fired according to a Colorado licensing database.
CBS News Colorado reported on Sept. 20 that Fitzgerald “was no longer employed at the Regional Transportation District,” according to a memo from RTD CEO Debra Johnson that was sent out to all RTD employees.
But the agency refused to say if Fitzgerald had resigned or was fired and declined to share any information about what led to the separation. Johnson said last Friday that she would share her “plans for interim leadership” in the coming days. Nearly a week later, no new information has been provided about whether Fitzgerald was fired or voluntarily resigned.
On Thursday, Colorado’s Peace Officer Standards and Training database — which shows the employment and disciplinary status of Colorado law enforcement officers — showed that Fitzgerald had been “Terminated For Cause.” It’s unclear if the firing impacts Fitzgerald’s ability to serve in law enforcement in Colorado.
After the publication of this story, RTD responded to an open records request saying it had no records of termination or separation for Fitzgerald.
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An RTD spokeswoman also responded to a request for comment Thursday saying RTD “adheres to the Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Board regulations and its reporting requirements,” but did not otherwise comment on Fitzgerald’s termination.
CBS News Colorado also contacted the Attorney General’s office seeking more information about the termination notice.
Fitzgerald joined RTD as its police chief in 2022. But he had been on leave since July as an outside investigator looked into alleged “policy violations.”
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This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
Brian Maass
Your Investigator Brian Maass has a reputation for breaking major stories at CBS News Colorado. He is a veteran reporter who has established a high level of trust and credibility in the community. Read his reports or check out his bio & send him an email.
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) – Law enforcement need your help finding a missing woman.
Jessica Kawanabe, 41, was last seen at the Safeway on Centennial Boulevard near Garden of the Gods Road. The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office reported her missing late Wednesday night.
“She has serious medical, mental health issues which need medical attention,” EPSO said in a social media post.
Kawanabe is Indigenous, has dark hair, stands 5-foot-2 and weighs 108 pounds. Anyone with information on her whereabouts is asked to call 719-390-5555 immediately.